May. 24, 2013

Having a Dog May Mean Having Extra Microbes

Reporting in PLoS One, biologist Rob Dunn, of North Carolina State University, and colleagues surveyed people’s pillow cases, refrigerators, toilet seats, TV screens and other household spots to learn about the microbes that dwell within our homes. Among the findings: Abodes with dogs had more diverse bacterial communities, and higher numbers of “dog-associated” bacteria.